Use of cationic surfactant as activity enhancer in deodorants and oral care

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial system which comprises a cationic surfactant, derived from the condensation of fatty acids and esterified dibasic amino acids, according to the following formula (I), where: X is Br, CI or HSO 4 R 1 : is linear alkyl chain from an saturated fatty acid, or hydroxyacid from 8 to 14 atoms of carbon bonded to the α-amino acid group through amidic bond. R 2  is a linear or branched alkyl chain from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or aromatic. R3: is Formula (II), where n can be from 0 to 4, and at least one antimicrobial agent characterised for its enhanced activity.

[0001] This invention relates to a novel use of cationic surfactants as activity enhacers of the traditional antimicrobials and preparations according to this novel use in deodorants and oral care.

[0002] Many antimicrobials are known to be effective against specific and general bacteria which are present in the oral cavity and such bacteria which are responsible for the body odour. But, most of them display incompatibilities with the human skin and the mouth cavity mucous membranes, such as irritations and allergies and are toxic to human beings as well.

[0003] On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that cationic surfactants derived from lauric acid and arginine are biologically active substances, in particular, the ethyl ester of the lauramide of the arginine monohydrochloride, hereafter referred to as LAE. LAE has the chemical structure of formula (1),

[0004] The preparation of this product has been described in a number of different patents.

[0005] Biological studies carried out at different research centres under supervision of the applicant of the present invention showed LAE acts mainly over the external and cytoplasmatic membrane of the microorganisms and, also, into the cytoplasmatic media, preventing their proliferation. Its action depends on the kind of microorganism and on the exposure time.

[0006] Besides, its metabolism in rats has been studied showing a fast absorption and metabolism into naturally-occurring amino acids and the fatty acid lauric acid, which are eventually excreted as carbon dioxide and urea. Toxicological studies have demonstrated LAE is completely harmless to animals and humans.

[0007] We have found that combinations of LAE with traditional antimicrobials have a better activity than LAE or these antimicrobials by themselves in the tested applications. This activity enhancement of LAE may be explained by its action over de cytoplasmatic membrane of the microorganisms.

[0008] So, it was the object of the present invention to provide further antimicrobial systems for cosmetic preparations for skin and oral care with in particular the goal of providing systems which comprise smaller amounts of the traditional antimicrobials in view of the risk of lack of tolerance.

[0009] The use of the invention relates to cationic surfactants derived from the condensation of fatty acids and esterified dibasic amino acids, according to the following formula:

[0010] where:

[0011] X⁻ is Br⁻, Cl⁻, or HSO₄ ⁻

[0012] R₁: is a linear alkyl chain from a saturated fatty acid or hydroxyacid from 8 to 14 atoms of carbon bonded to the α-amino acid group through an amidic bond.

[0013] R₂: is a linear or branched alkyl chain from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an aromatic group.

[0014] R₃: is:

—NH₃

[0015]

[0016] and n can be from 0 to 4.

[0017] The most preferred compound of the above class of compounds is LAE.

[0018] This antimicrobial system is characterised for its enhanced activity. It has now been found that the antimicrobial activity of the combinations of LAE and the other compounds defined by the above formula (1) with most of the common antimicrobials used in formulations and preparations for skin and oral care is higher than the activity displayed by each of the components when used alone at the same dosage. There has been observed activity enhancement when the amounts of the compounds of formula (1) and the antimicrobial are reduced.

[0019] Thus, the adverse toxic effects and/or irritation and/or allergy displayed by the antimicrobial systems have also been reduced.

[0020] LAE can be used in association with common antimicrobials, such as 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan), 3,4,4-trichlorocarbanilid (triclocarban), 2-phenoxyethanol, chlorhexidine salts, hexetidine and cetylpyridinium salts, for cosmetic formulations and preparations directed to avoid body odour and to provide oral care, which are applied to the epidermis or on the teeth and in the mouth cavity mucous membranes, in order to clean, perfume and/or change body odour and/or protect a good physical state.

[0021] The antimicrobial system of the invention comprises the cationic surfactant of formula (1) in an amount from 0.001 to 1% by weight and the concentration of the traditional antimicrobial agent from 0.0001% to 2% by weight relative to whole weight.

[0022] The antimicrobial system of the invention comprises more in particular a preferred amount of the traditional antimicrobial agent in deodorant applications, from 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan) and/or from 0.001 to 1.5% by weight of 3,4,4-trichlorocarbanilid (triclocarban) and/or from 0.001 to 1% by weight of 2-phenoxyethanol and/or 0.001 to 1% by weight of chlorhexidine salts.

[0023] And the amount of the traditional antimicrobial agent in oral care applications is from 0.001 to 0.3% by weight of 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan) and/or from 0.001 to 0.15% by weight of chlorhexidine gluconate and/or from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of hexetidine and/or from 0.001 to 0.05% by weight of cetylpyridinium salts.

[0024] The composition of this invention comprises a medium which is compatible with the skin, the mucous membranes, and hair. These compositions may contain the usual components such as: fatty compounds such as mineral oil, animal oil, vegetal oil, from synthesis and silicon, and also alcohols, fatty acids and waxes; organic solvents, surface active agents, solubilizers and ionic and non ionic emulsifiers, thickening agents and jellying hydrophilic agents such as carboxyvinylic polymers (e.g. carbomer), acrylic copolymers (e.g. acrylates and alkylacrylates), polyacrylamides, polysaccharides, natural gums (e.g. xanthan gum); thickening agents and jellying lipophilic agents such as modified clays (ex. bentonite), fatty acid metallic salts, hydrophobic silica and polyethylene; perfumes and essential oils; astringents; antiperspirants; fluorides; humectants; sweeteners; softeners; excipients; antioxidants; sequestrant agents; opacifiers; filters; colouring compounds which are either hydrophilic or lipophilic, and pigments; and hydrophilic or lipophilic active ingredients. These compositions can also contain further antimicrobial agents which are different from the ones defined in the claims.

[0025] The amounts of these usual components mentioned in the previous paragraph are the normal ones as used in the art. These components are added to the antimicrobial systems of the invention without having any influence on their composition.

[0026] According to the invention the compositions can be in different cosmetic forms suitable for a topic application, such as:

[0027] a) Monophasic systems:

[0028] water or hydro-glycolic solution that contains one or more surfactants to be used for the cleaning of the skin and mucous membranes;

[0029] water, hydro-alcoholic, hydro-glycolic or oily solution that can contain other additives to be used in the general care and/or protection for skin and/or mucous membranes;

[0030] water, hydro-alcoholic, hydro-glycolic or oily gel that can contain other additives to be used in general care and/or protection for skin and/or mucous membranes;

[0031] solid anhydride products that can contain other additives to be used in the general care and/or protection for skin and/or mucous membranes;

[0032] b) Biphasic systems:

[0033] a water, hydro-alcoholic, hydro-glycolic or oily gel that can contain other additives to be used in general care and/or protection for skin and/or mucous membranes;

[0034] solid anhydride products that can contain other additives to be used in the general care and/or protection for skin and/or mucous membranes;

[0035] emulsions formed by dispersion of a oil phase in a water phase (O/W) or an inverse phase (W/O), to be used in general care and/or protection of the face skin and/or mucous membranes;

[0036] c) and combinations of the other systems that form multiphasic systems, suspensions and micro-emulsions.

[0037] The compositions previously mentioned can also be used as a spray, or as aerosol compositions and can contain a propulsion agent under pressure.

[0038] Thus, the compositions of the invention can have the aspect of a cream, a lotion, a milk, an emulsion, a gel or an oil for the skin, a salt, a gel, a foam/spray or an oil for a bath and shower and anyway aspect to be shown.

[0039] The compositions according to the invention have been prepared according to usual techniques well known for an expert in the matter.

[0040] Procedure to Evaluate the Efficacy of the Antimicrobial System

[0041] The antimicrobial systems have been evaluated by the inhibition zone method (adapted from Association of Official Analytical Chemists, J.Assoc.Off.Anal.Chem., 62, 466-467 (1982)), using specific test micro-organisms. These micro-organisms were:

[0042] for oral care products evaluation: Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC  4355 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC  6538 Candida albicans ATCC 10231

[0043] for deodorant products evaluation: Propionibacterium acnes ATCC 33179 Corynebacterium sp. ATCC  6931 Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ATCC  9533 Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12600

[0044] The method consists of measuring the inhibition zone created by the antimicrobial system of each cosmetic composition, placed in a media hole, for every test micro-organism.

[0045] Each test micro-organism was inoculed into the appropiate culture media with a target concentration of 10⁶ cfu/mL, approximately, and 20 mL of inoculated media were pipetted into petri dishes and let to harden. It is also possible to seed the microorganism on the surface of the sterile media if that is suitable.

[0046] A hole of 15 mm diameter was made in the media and 0.5 mL of the cosmetic composition was deposited into the hole. It is allowed to diffuse for an hour and is then incubated.

[0047] The temperature was kept at the optimum value for each micro-organism and dishes were protected against light.

[0048] Each test was carried out in triplicate.

[0049] The radius of the inhibition zone was measured at 24 hours for bacteria and 4 days for yeasts after the cosmetic composition was placed.

EXAMPLES

[0050] Different examples of cosmetic preparation formulations according to the invention have been assayed. The displayed examples are only a selection, and do not represent a restriction to the use of the antimicrobial system in other cases.

[0051] The concentrations of the antimicrobial agents used in the following examples are shown in Table 1: TABLE 1 Antimicrobial system Composition 1 LAE at 0.3% 2 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan) at 0.2% 3 3,4,4-trichlorocarbanilid (triclocarban) at 0.75% 4 2-phenoxyethanol at 0.3% 5 chlorhexidine digluconate at 0.2% 6 hexetidine at 0.1% 7 cetylpyridinium chloride at 0.04% 8 LAE at 0.05% with 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy- diphenylether (triclosan) at 0.1% 9 LAE at 0.05% with 3,4,4-trichlorocarbanilid (triclocarban) at 0.35% 10 LAE at 0.1% with 2-phenoxyethanol at 0.15% 11 LAE at 0.05% with chlorhexidine digluconate at 0.1% 12 LAE at 0.15% with hexetidine at 0.05% 13 LAE at 0.15% with cetylpyridinium chloride at 0.02%

[0052] The activity of each antimicrobial system is related to the activity of antimicrobial system 1 through their inhibition radius. The resulting value is used to compare the activity of the traditional antimicrobial agent with and without LAE. So, a bigger value of this parameter represents a larger antimicrobial activity related to the 0.3% at LAE system.

Example of Mouth Rinse Example 1

[0053] The composition of a direct use mouth rinse, made to test the effectiveness of the antimicrobial systems, is (in g): Ethanol  9.00 Glycerol 10.00 PEG 40 Hydrogenated castor oil  2.00 Sodium saccharinate  0.15 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

[0054] This formulation is completed with a suitable amount of the antimicrobial system of the invention and its antimicrobial activity is evaluated against formulations with traditional antimicrobial agents used alone.

[0055] The results are shown in the table 2. TABLE 2 Ant. sys. Ant. sys. without LAE with LAE Ant. sys. Ant. sys. Zone Zone without LAE with LAE Ant. vs. vs. Ant. Ant. Zone Zone Ant. sys. ant. ant. sys. sys. vs. vs. sys. Number

sys. 1 sys. 1

Number Number

system 1 system 1

Number Streptococcus mutans Lactobacillus acidophilus 2

20 22

8 2

15 16

8 5

15 15

11 5

11 12

11 6

10 12

12 6

9 9

12 7

22 21

13 7

10 12

13 Staphylococcus aureus Candida albicans 2

18 19

8 2

8 10

8 5

12 13

11 5

7 6

11 6

9 9

12 6

8 8

12 7

15 17

13 7

9 10

13

[0056] It is shown in the table 2 that the combination of LAE with the traditional antimicrobials leads to effects which are regularly higher than those displayed by these compounds used alone, with the advantages previously described.

Examples of Dentifrices Example 2

[0057] The general composition of a standard opaque dentifrice, is (in g): Glycerol 25.00 Sodium saccharinate  0.15 EDTA 4 NA  0.10 Sodium monofluorophosphate  1.00 Silica  5.00 Sodium metaphosphate 30.00 Titanium dioxide  0.20 Hydroxyethylcellulose  0.75 Sodium lauryl sulfate  0.80 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

[0058] This formulation is completed with a suitable amount of the antimicrobial system of the invention and its antimicrobial activity is evaluated against formulations with traditional antimicrobial agents used alone.

[0059] The results are shown in the table 3. TABLE 3 Ant. sys. Ant. sys. without LAE with LAE Ant. sys. Ant. sys. Zone Zone without LAE with LAE Ant. vs. vs. Ant. Ant. Zone Zone Ant. sys. ant. ant. sys. sys. vs. vs. sys. Number

sys. 1 sys. 1

Number Number

system 1 system 1

Number Streptococcus mutans Lactobacillus acidophilus 2

15 17

8 2

10 10

8 5

12 14

11 5

8 9

11 6

7 10

12 6

9 8

12 7

12 13

13 7

11 12

13 Staphylococcus aureus Candida albicans 2

13 14

8 2

8 8

8 5

9 10

11 5

7 7

11 6

7 8

12 6

6 7

12 7

9 12

13 7

9 9

13

[0060] It is shown in the table 3 that the combination of LAE with the common antimicrobials is equal or higher than those displayed by these compounds used alone, with the advantages previously described.

[0061] Further preparation examples of dentifrice, where the antimicrobial systems were also assayed, are described in the examples 3 to 5. The experimental rental results obtained in the example 2 are representative for these examples.

Example 3

[0062] The composition of a standard transparent dentifrice, is (in g): Glycerol 19.00 Sorbitol 63.00 Sodium saccharinate  0.15 EDTA 4 NA  0.10 Sodium fluoride  0.20 Silica 15.00 Hydroxyethylcellulose  0.75 Sodium lauryl sulfate  0.80 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

Example 4

[0063] The composition of a liquid dentifrice, is (in g): Glycerol  5.00 Sorbitol 56.00 Sodium saccharinate  0.15 EDTA 4 NA  0.10 Sodium fluoride  0.20 Silica 16.00 Hydroxyethylcellulose  0.50 Sodium lauryl sulfate  0.80 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

Example 5

[0064] The composition of a baking soda based dentifrice, is (in g): Glycerol 10.00 Sorbitol 20.00 Sodium saccharinate  0.20 EDTA 4 NA  0.10 Sodium monofluorophosphate  1.00 Silica 15.00 Sodium bicarbonate 15.00 Hydroxyethylcellulose  0.50 Sodium lauryl sulfate  1.50 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

Examples of Deodorants Example 6

[0065] The general composition of a stick deodorant without alcohol, is (in g) Cyclomethicone 25.00 Stearyl alcohol 26.00 Octyl palmitate 23.00 Dioctyl adipate 21.70 C12-C15 alkyl benzoate  2.00 Glyceryl stearate  2.00

[0066] This formulation is completed with a suitable amount of the antimicrobial system of the invention and its antimicrobial activity is evaluated against formulations with traditional antimicrobial agents used alone.

[0067] The results are shown in the Table 4. TABLE 4 Ant. sys. Ant. sys. without LAE with LAE Ant. sys. Ant. sys. Zone Zone without LAE with LAE Ant. vs. vs. Ant. Ant. Zone Zone Ant. sys. ant. ant. sys. sys. vs. vs. sys. Number

sys. 1 sys. 1

Number Number

system 1 system 1

Number Propionibacterium acnes Corynebacterium sp. 2

9 10

8 2

10 10

8 3

8 8

9 3

7 9

9 4

5 6

10 4

6 8

10 6

8 7

12 6

9 10

12 Trichophyton Mentagrophytes Staphylococcus epidermidis 2

20 21

8 2

16 17

8 3

17 18

9 3

13 14

9 4

13 15

10 4

10 12

10 6

16 18

12 6

14 17

12

[0068] It is shown in the table 4 that the activity of a combination of LAE with the common antimicrobials is equal or higher than those displayed by these compounds used alone, with the advantages previously described.

[0069] Further examples of deodorants, where the antimicrobial systems were also assayed, are described in the following preparation examples 1 to 5. The experimental results obtained in the example 6 are representative for these preparation examples as well.

Preparation Example 1

[0070] The composition of a stick deodorant with alcohol, is (in g): Ethanol 21.30 Propylene glycol 68.90 Stearic acid  6.10 Octyl dodecanol  1.00 Sodium hydroxide  0.93 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

Preparation Example 2

[0071] The composition of a deodorant aerosol, is (in g): Ethanol 51.93 Isopropyl myristate  1.50 Propellant 100 c.s.p.

Preparation Example 3

[0072] The composition of a roll-on deodorant composition without alcohol, is (in g): CETEARETH-20 3.00 Cetyl alcohol 2.00 Glyceryl stearate 1.50 Caprilic capric triglycerides 2.00 Isopropyl myristate 2.00 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

Preparation Example 4

[0073] The composition of a deodorant composition with alcohol for a roll-on, is (in g): Ethanol 41.00 Dipropylene glycol  5.25 Hydroxyethyl cellulose  0.45 Aqua 100 c.s.p.

Preparation Example 5

[0074] The composition of a deodorant cream, is (in g): Cetearyl alcohol + sodium 4.00 cetearyl sulfate CETEARETH-12 2.00 Paraffinum 4.00 Propylene glycol 3.00 Caprilic capric triglycerides 5.00 Dimethicone 1.00 Isopropyl myristate 5.00 Aqua 100 c.s.p. 

1. Antimicrobial system which comprises a cationic surfactant, derived from the condensation of fatty acids and esterified dibasic amino acids, according to the following formula:

where: X⁻ is Br⁻, Cl⁻, or HSO₄ ⁻ R₁: is linear alkyl chain from an saturated fatty acid, or hydroxyacid from 8 to 14 atoms of carbon bonded to the α-amino acid group through amidic bond. R₂: is a linear or branched alkyl chain from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or aromatic. R₃: is: —NH₃

where n can be from 0 to 4, and at least one antimicrobial agent characterised for its enhanced activity.
 2. Antimicrobial system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cationic surfactant is the ethyl ester of the lauramide of arginine hydrochloride (LAE).
 3. Antimicrobial system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main antimicrobial is selected from the group consisting of 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan) and/or 3,4,4-trichlorocarbanilid (triclocarban) and/or 2-phenoxyethanol and/or chlorhexidine salts and/or hexetidine and/or cetylpyridinium salts.
 4. Antimicrobial system according to claim 1 wherein the concentration of the cationic surfactant is from 0.001 to 1% by weight and the concentration of the antimicrobial agent from 0.0001% to 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the antimicrobial system.
 5. Antimicrobial system according to claim 4, wherein the amount of the antimicrobial agent in deodorant applications is from 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan) and/or from 0.001 to 1.5% by weight of 3,4,4-trichlorocarbanilid (triclocarban) and/or from 0.001 to 1% by weight of 2-phenoxyethanol and/or 0.001 to 1% by weight of chlorhexidine salts.
 6. Antimicrobial system according to claim 4, wherein the amount of the antimicrobial agent in oral care applications is from 0.001 to 0.3% by weight of 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan) and/or from 0.001 to 0.15% by weight of chlorhexidine gluconate and/or from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of hexetidine and/or from 0.001 to 0.05% by weight of cetylpyridinium salts in oral care applications.
 7. Antimicrobial system according to claim 1, further containing fatty compounds such as mineral oil, animal oil, vegetable oil, synthetic oil and silicon oil, and also alcohol, fatty acids and waxes; organic solvents, surface active agents, solubilizers and ionic and non-ionic emulsifiers, thickening agents and jellying hydrophilic agents such as carboxyvinylic polymers (eg. carbomer), acrylic copolymers (ex. acrylates and alkylacrylates), polyacrylamides, polysaccharides, natural gums (eg. xanthan gum); thickening agents and jellying lipophilic agents such as modified clays (ex. bentonite), fatty acid metallic salts, hydrophobic silica and polyethylene; perfumes and essential oils; astringents; antiperspirants; fluorides; humectants; sweeteners; softeners; excipients; antioxidants; sequestrant agents; opacifiers; filters; colouring compounds, and pigments; and hydrophilic or lipophilic active ingredients.
 8. Cosmetic and/or dermatological composition comprising the antimicrobial system defined in claim
 1. 9. Cosmetic compositions for skin or oral care comprising the antimicrobial system of claim
 4. 10. Composition according to claim 8 formed as an aqueous solution, hydro-alcoholic, hydro-glycolic emulsion, micro-emulsion, aqueous or anhydride gel of a vesicles dispersion.
 11. Use of the antimicrobial system according to claim 1 in and/or for the preparation of a cosmetic and/or dermatological composition to avoid the body odour or to take oral care.
 12. Use of the antimicrobial system according to claim 1 in a cosmetic and/or dermatological composition against micro-organisms. 